Stock Status within the North Sea Whiting
Key Findings
- Whiting are one of the most numerous and widespread species found in the North Sea. high numbers of immature fish occur off the Scottish coast, in the German Bight and along the coast of the Netherlands. They are a member of the cod family sharing many characteristics.
- North Sea Whiting are considered to be a 'Good Choice' by the Marine Conservation Society.
- Landings for local ports are not listed within Scottish Fisheries Statistics. Combined Scottish catches are shown in Table 1 with a solid increases in volume and value.
- Catches of Whiting has been reducing since the mid 1990s in response to reduced stock biomass (numbers of fish). Since 2019 the stock biomass has been increasing strongly. In line with the increased stock, ICES has recommended an increase in quota of over 300%.
Spawing area for Whiting in Scotland
ICES Stock assessment for Whiting
Notes
Linked Information Sheets
Seafood Landings by Value into the North East of Scotland - Employment in the fishing industry offshore- Employment in the fishing industry onshore- Markets for Seafood - Fraserburgh Harbour, Peterhead Harbour - Aberdeen Harbour - Small Harbours north of Aberdeen - Small Harbours South of Aberdeen – Status of key commercial species – Numbers of fishing vessels – Training - Employment - Mackerel line catch value
Key sources of Information
Marine Scotland (September 2022), Scottish Sea Fisheries Statistics 2021
North Sea Whiting rating for MCS
ICES acronyms and explanations
Reviewed on/by
Status
Live. Update due 09/01/2026
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Telephone: 07971149117
E-mail: ian.hay@stateofthecoast.scot
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